Tapu Domain and Beachfront Reserves
Overnight Campervan Parking
14 Rankers Reviews
1 Face-to-Face
11 Thames
Online Maps
Camping NZ NEW
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
Get the best out of it. Here's how…
Photos
Information
All freedom campers must be certified self-contained.
Maximum stay of two consecutive nights, departure by 9am.
Park only between the freedom camping signs.
Location - Within the loop road, between the loop road and the row of trees.
Size - 40m starting from the northern end of the row of trees opposite 724 Thames Coast Road and heading south to end of the tree row opposite 718 Thames Coast Road.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
|---|---|---|
|
Location |
North Island ▷ Coromandel ▷ Thames |
|
|
Categories |
Reviews
Showing 13 reviews of 14.
Get the best out of it. Here's how…
Alydia
Ranking: 9/10
One of my favourite free camping spots! Right on the beach. Toilets and a shop about 5 mins walk away. SSC vehicles only.
Soujanya
Ranking: 10/10
Really nice place. You can watch sunset and take a nice long on the shore or dive in for a swim. Met few friendly locals giving tips where to visit and what to do. Clean toilets.
Bex
Ranking: 10/10
Loved this spot... nice and tidy with rubbish bins and toilet avaible.. little bit off the road so hardly heard the traffic.. ended up being the only ones here.. great spot!
Sandy
Ranking: 6/10
This free camp has everything you want for a night. Toilets (2 minutes walk from the parkinglot), bbq area, picnic tables, sea view and stoney beach. The rating 6/10 is only based of the incoming and outcoming cars of locals, loud music, torchlight and so on during the night. It doesn’t gave me a safe feeling and couldn’t sleep
Avoid Camping Fines!
Each camping location is approved by a regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
Nadia
Ranking: 10/10
Gorgeous view, quiet, right on beach. Great to sleep and wake up to sounds of waves and gulls. Toilet a short walk away. Would have been a few more spots but a mega van with boat took up 3 (parked sideways).
Amber
Ranking: 10/10
This was my first Freedom camping experience and I don’t think it’s like the rest of them. It’s situated on the beach, close to a public toilet and really picturesque. Would recommend!
Sean
Ranking: 9/10
Nice spot. Right on the beach. Dinner by sunset. Toilet 100m away.
Two large campers parked sideways, and one pretend self contained, for two people !?, station wagon with stickers. Taking up two parking spots.
Can only recommend;-)
Merel van Keulen
Ranking: 10/10
Perfect place! Next to the beach and sea to swim. In summer season no more space around 6 pm. Very peacefull.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Rick Shepherd
Ranking: 8/10
Good little spot, only room for 3 campers if parallel parked but the area is designed for angle parking so could accommodate 5, NOTE read the sign and don’t park on the water front side of the access road as the Ranger patrols regularly.
Cor Dekker
Ranking: 10/10
Wonderful place! Flushing toilet at 100 meters. Place for about 8 campers. Next to beach. Petrol station with food facilities and small shop nearby.
Christoper Crowhurst
Ranking: 9/10
Calm and quiet spot near the river? Toilets a short 200m walk away, open all night. BBQ station and water. Few bins dotted about as well. Overall a great place to get your head down for free before moving on. Check out the cafe opposite the camp spot - lovely ladies serving up hot, cold and all else in between.
Katharina Gans
Ranking: 9/10
An amazing place for freedom camping! You can stay direct on the beachfront.
Laurell Cullen-Wright
Ranking: 8/10
We enjoy this spot. The local pub has friendly staff and great service as does the shop. Good coffee in Tapu! One or two of the local residents are not so friendly and one actively attempts to antagonize. However we have found the majority will stop and chat and welcome us to share their spot of beautiful coastline. The site is not flat and dips badly leaving very little space for more than three vans. Beware to not park on the level beach front as you will get a fine. The signage is a little misleading unfortunately and many think the sign on the beach front means one can park there. All that aside it is a nice spot to enjoy a couple of nights to fish and swim or kayak. Thanks Tapu businesses and those locals who welcome us.
